Great video John, I used to have an Orkney 520 brilliant boats. I agreed with the boss (wife) that we wanted to go a little bigger she wanted a head on-board rather than a bucket. I now have a Merry Fisher 625 so just a little larger than the Orkney 520 but the costs go up exponentially. Engine services from my 30hp Mercury to my 115hp Honda have gone from £250 to £500, I now moor on a pontoon for ease of use versus launching each time via the slip. Annual charges at the marina have gone from £1700 to £3800. Daily fuel has gone from £25 to £50 average. I also bought a trailer for maintenance and to tow down to Mylor which was £2300 2nd hand and then another £500 to service it up once bought. My recommendation is to stay on a trailer for costs and maintenance and stay around the 18ft mark for best cost to fun ratio. Bigger boats are really nice but they do cost a lot more.
Mark Adams - That is a fantastic comment mate with loads of great info for anyone reading. I think I will possibly go up to a. 19ft boat but that’s my lot. 🛥👍🏻😉
@@TheFishLocker John, what would you buy if looking to pay 10k tops for the whole set-up. I think that’s roughly what your set up is? Orkney 520 or something else?
I don't think there's a video that exists where the person talks more sense than this guy. Thanks for the honest and simple description. Brilliant video.
@@asfdestroyer where as not a terrible idea i don't have storage for one. (yes i did look into it, but it's not practical for me. at least not the now)
@@princessllama2663 There are very nice inflatable kayaks. I use one for recreation and can do 30-40km in a whole day on the sea. I keep it in the trunk of my car
Princess Llama there are now a range of inflatable kayaks that are surprisingly good! I have seen up close the inflatable sail boards and they are rock solid. Just a thought.
- Thank you very much Neil and welcome to our channel. I hope that you enjoy the rest of our content and if you have any questions - leave us a comment and I'll try to get back to you. 😄
I have owned boats. (Too old for it now) Listen to this young man, what he says is realistic and makes good sense, especially about co-ownership which is a good idea so long as you are prepared to be flexible. Best done with a group of people who already know each other. Listen to what he says about maintenance because if you don't keep up with it you will end up with a wreck within a few years. The boat lives in an hostile, salt environment and has to have money spent on it each year to protect it and its motor. This guy is a natural and should be on mainstream TV. Bravo.
Been having mixed feelings about buying a boat. And you’ve just swayed me.... I’ll stick to £25 a go fishing trips from my local harbour! Thank you for all the time and effort you put in to educating everyone. Your a top man 👍
@@otroflores91 In San Francisco area it's more than $100 for one trip. £25 is literally a steal. Although a charter boat give you less flexibilities though. e.g. If you are done and want to come back earlier. Too bad.
They’re are many things I could say but to give some figures to your good point on 2 stroke oil. Before I upgraded to 4 stroke. I had a 40hp 2 stroke mariner for which needed 25:1 fuel to oil ratio and a 2 litre bottle of oil was about £30, I have 2 25 litre tanks so with both tanks full that was an entire bottle of oil plus fuel costs so it is far more cost effective to go four stroke for me.
Great vid, total sense. As a Yachty with aspirations to eventually owning a sailing yacht in my retirement. I totally agree with all you've said. Many friends that have owned vessels have said that the happiest day of their life is when they take ownership of said boat and the second happiest is when they have sold it. if you take your purchase price end divide by 4 you'll have your yearly running cost.
Thanks for the nice explanation of the situation with the boat selection. I love boating and owned a boat since I was in school... Now, some 30 years later, I have the following formula: A 3.60m Kolibri MD SIP wit solid flooring, inflatable keel and a 15hp two stroke Yamaha FMHS as a portable kit and a 16 ft with a 50hp on a trailer at the garage. Cost of ownership and operations is nice and minimal for the SIP, as the fuel use of 15hp Yamaha is 5-6 l/h at WOT and I rarely go through one 25l tank in a day and for those long camping trips I have a lovely 45 liter tank on wheels that actually doubles up as a table in the middle of the boat. For this kit I go through about 3 one liter cans of oil that add up to 150l fuel per season. Oil to use - TC-W3. I particularly like Johnson/Evinrude XD30 or XD50 oil (Low smoke, clean plugs, engine not gumming up... I always run 50:1 premix.). It takes me 45 minutes solo to inflate and rig the boat, but you have to be really close to water, because all items have to be carried by hand, or wheelbarrowed. Boat made out of high PVC material density is 60kg, the engine is 36 kg and fuel in a can be up to 30kg. So just mind your back or better have someone to assist you. A very good idea is an electric air pump to inflate and deflate your boat. Now, if you plan to use this kit in colder weather solo- just forget about it. Boat becomes stiff and it is nearly impossible to assemble the flooring panels on your own. Othervise - brill! fast, fun, mobile and convenient. Make sure you get those extra soft pillows for the seats, or you will have a "baboon ass" towards the end of the day. Electronics: basic fishfinder with GPS plotter. The second kit is good for longer trips and further from shore. Used to have a nice 4 cylinder 50hp fuel injected 4stroke Yamaha on the boat, but it was nicked. This is always sad and it can happen. So, now I have a Johnson 50 2 stroke that no one wants to steal from me and this is also a separate line of expense. Let's start with Yamaha 50hp 4 cycle... My boat has a stationary 60L fuel tank and I would run a healthy 45km/h at 4500 rpm burning 8 l/hour. My fishing spots are usually 2 hours away, so up to 30-35 liters just to get me there and back and remaining 20-25 to move about in search of fish and for trolling. John’s boat with a 30hp would be much more economical burning about 5 liters at cruising speeds though. If I go WOT at 5500 rpm on the Yamaha - I burn 12+ l/h.... As for my good old long shaft Johnson, the fuel story is different. At WOT it happily guzzles up to 17l/h and at cruising speeds it sips 12-14l/h (this is a pint every 3 minutes!!!*8). So a 4 hour round trip is 48-56 liters of fuel and every time I go slightly above 5000 rpm - 60L for a day trip is not sufficient. Therefore I have to carry a healthy reserve of at least 30 liters and a small 10L can just in case. The rule here is better to come back with unused fuel reserve that run out of fuel on the water. It all adds up to 100L/day. And guess what... 100 liter of fuels needs 2 liters of oil. Add this to your running costs. Always carry reserve oil on board. Apart from that - the trailer needs new bearings replaced every two years. As for electronics: a nice chart plotter with a modern fish finder is a must. VHF of your choice. Anchor winch is a must (in my humble opinion), motorguide is really nice to have, boat batteries at 100A/H and second battery to start the motor if first one runs out - also expensive. From my point of view, the boat option you select must be convenient. It is easy to pull a trailer to the gas station and fill the tanks up, but it is more complicated is you need to feed your larger two stroke with jerry cans, especially if it goes through them faster than you can carry them to the boat. As for the car - I burned several clutches over the years trying to pull out a boat from a steep slip, so, in my humble opinion, an old timer automatic transmission 4*4 car with hydraulic coupling are much better for this purpose. Not sure about ultramodern CVT and other robotic gear cases. They might not withstand such abuse.
I have a warrior 175, I would say a day on the water is going to cost £50 that's fuel, a few pasties, bait depending on what the target is and a few pints back at the marina and that is on top of all the other costs that John has mentioned. But the memories and quality time I have had since owning a boat has been priceless, we as family love being out on the water.
Nice and simple advice there, hit the nail on the head. It's not a cheap do anymore and to do it properly and safely costs money. I've owned boats most of my adult life but have always been trailered and soon learned that it was a lot of money sat there most of the year doing nothing. I took the decision to put my latest boat on a marina pontoon at £1500 a year for a 5 meter boat. It's expensive but the best thing I ever did, all my kit is left on there secure, just turn up at the boat with bait and a brew, turn the key and go! Love your videos, keep em coming.
Thanks John. I got the boat bug a couple of years ago and decided to start with a sib. Works great for me as I live in the city and am lucky to get my van parked. Takes half an hour to get form the van to the water. All 12v from a boat battery to a trolling motor that's ideal to get offshore.
This report John, is exactly true thanks. I bought my boat for £1,800 and over 7 years I have spent over £9000 on exactly what was told and still paying. I have a 14ft Dejon and I do day and night, I had to fit lights etc. "One man said to me if you do not like someone tell him to buy a boat".
One thing I would like to add is. The cost of an experienced skipper. John's experience is there for all to see and this shows in his fishing. Don't be fooled thinking you can buy a boat with all the toys and catch like him, this takes years to learn. Spend a good amount going out with top class skippers like Skeggy in Lymington and see if it's for you and learn how to fish, anchor, set up a drift and so on. Great video.
Ivon Coles - I hope this comes across in many of my videos. It is the asking questions, learning from others and sharing information that will help us all to build our knowledge and ultimately catch more fish. 👍🏻😉🎣🐟🐟
I would suggest to anyone thinking about buying a boat,that they spend at least a year fishing ,boating and launching with someone like John or someone with years of experience, before rushing off to buy a boat.Boats and the sea are great but also can be very dangerous, John is a experienced skipper, and makes it look easy,but im sure he will tell you he has had his scary moments.He is a Good fisherman as well ,as a sensible man .Perhaps John might cover this area weather, wind against tides, boat handling, overloading, solo safety boat balance, speed, planning, and positioning in rough weather etc.Look forward to more on your channel.
John Highland - Hi John, Thankyou for the comment. Definitely will be helpful at helping folks realise the reality of boat owning. I do cover some safety aspects as they arise in the videos and have done a “small boat safety equipment” video. I will look at doing any more I can on the subject. Great comment. 👍🏻🎣🛥🐟
Good job. When I bought my first boat a 1995 17ft Whaler Dauntless I pulled the trigger to quickly. I'm no lugnut but in the first season I had to replace the fuel sender, steering cable, two batteries, battery switch, bottom paint$$, axle and leaf springs, hubs bearings, run new wires for bow and stern, 300ft 1/2 inch anchor line, anchor life jackets, flares, $1500,00 for a mooring a mile from shore and a dingy with motor, insurance, registration SeaTow, couple of guages, Prop repaired, plugs, water separator, boat stands, cover and more. The following season I sold it for less than I paid for it and with the wifes ok stretched the budget and bought a 2014 21ft Dauntless CC with a low hours Mercury 150 hp with a 40 gallon tank that had never seen salt water. I paid to have that one surveyed and it didnt need anything. I was going to trailer that one but the old lady surprised me with a slip that cost $2250.00. These days i can just step onto my boat and go which is slicker than snot on glass. The only thing i can recommend is that if your going to spend any significant money for the boat you get it surveyed or at least take a bud who knows his chit. Buyer beware. arg.
Moldering One - That is so absolutely true. When viewing a second hand boat. If you don’t know, bring someone who does know. It is like buying a car only more likely to go wrong and less easy to repair. Now you have a great working boat. How much joy does it give you compared to how much it cost? 😊🛥🐟
I've been looking into buying a boat when I retire soon and have read and watched everything I've been able to find on the subject. This has contained more useful information than all of the rest put together. I was once told that a boat is a hole in the water surrounded by wood into which you throw money. Thanks for the sound, practical and unvarnished advice. Great channel btw. Top job all round.
mynature - I am very pleased to hear that the video was helpful and informative for you. That is why I made it. If you have any other questions you can think of that I didn’t answer, just give me a comment. Tight lines. 😉👍🏻🛥🎣
I had a jetski set up for fishing. Jetski fishing is really popular here. I paid $10k for the ski & trailer, then still put another $3k into it. Everything is just much more expensive to cope with the marine environment. If you don't use stainless steel, you'll have to keep replacing items. Even though I enjoyed it, I wasn't sad to see it roll up my driveway on the back of somebody else truck. One of the things that surprised me more than anything is that some lads get on a jetski, never having ridden one before & more importantly, they have no education of seamanship or navigation rules. Another great video. Thanks for all your effort.
Ian Laccohee - It isn’t just jet skis, I see it all the time. People buying big powerful boats having never owned or even manned one before. No concept of seamanship or safety. It’s really scary sometimes 🤷🏻♂️🤦🏻♂️🛥🎣
I would always say start small work your way up. Or at least until you get used to boating and know what sort of boat and motor will suit you in the future.
Trojs Fishing - I didn’t even think of saying it like that. My natural progression was small to bigger but that was only as my budget grew with my age. Good shout mate. 👍🏻🛥🎣
I bought a SIB a RIB an electric outboard & battery, 2 Fishing kayaks, fish finders, GPS, a wet suit + dry suit , a floatation suit, life jackets, a ton of railblaza stuff along with 2 Go Pro's for a fraction of the cost of a boat, I don't regret it, I use my Kayak's twice a week.. and my RIB is perfect for inshore fishing.. But your right John... if you can't justify the cost (I couldn't) especially the running costs, mooring, insurance etc.. etc... I would highly recommend to anyone, to look at all the alternatives. in my opinion nothing compares to fishing from a Kayak, it's also not for everyone obviously, but perfect for myself. Kayaking gives you Popeye's arms Lol... I just need a pipe and some spinach.. ach ach.. ach... ach. Great video very useful and informative.. keep it up John your channel is excellent mate.
VR_GAMERS - Excellent comment mate. Kayaks perfectly fit the bill for some anglers. The information you gave will be great for them reading. One thing I will add is possibly some older anglers may find the physicality of kayaking too much. So boating may be more for them on those grounds. 😊👍🏻🛥🎣
i bought a 15ft boat with a running 2 stroke engine. 2 weeks ago, the starbord, port lights are brand new got them for free since they followed with the boat., lantern i got for free, the only thing i paid for was the new paint, ancher, rope, and some boat cleaner, there is no fee to let your boat out at the marina here, i already have first aid kit, and a fire estingusher, i only use it in the lakes here to fish. the boat cost me 1709 pounds including a good trailer. and i have just bought 175 pounds worth of items. so it really depends on person to person, but i really like your opinion it helps people understand that owning a boat is not cheap, and i have a boat saving fund of another 2000 pounds just for emergency if i need new parts or anything. so money wise its planned out, and i love taking my dad and brother out fishing every chance i get, its really worth it the memories i get is priceless. and im the same as you i want my kids to grow up with boats and make a good memory with them, when it comes to fishing and the ocean. in my personal opinion if you have the money and the time i would say buy a boat, you will not regret it, but dont buy a to big of a boat.
One of the happiest days of my life was when I bought my first boat ..... the second happiest day was when I sold it! Okay, I've had three boats since the first, but always feel a sense of relief when I sell it on - must be nearly time for my next boat. Seriously, the hidden costs are substantial and it is always worth keeping in mind that your boating needs may change over time. My next boat will be a small F-RIB or SIB, convenience and ease of storage. The days of owning a larger vessel and keeping it on a mooring are long gone (simply can't justify the ongoing expense). Excellent video, mate, and always worth pointing out what you might be taking on when you opt for your own vessel.
Snaggit Fishing - Hopefully this night help folks out. They are a big responsibility aren’t they. I think I will keep this one for another year and maybe go to a 19ft over 16 for the added space as the kids gets bigger.😉🎣🛥
Hi John,you know I've become hooked on your channel "terrible dad pun". I have my mates watching your videos too now. We all agree that you should have your own fishing show on t.v.,you're a pleasure to listen to and knowledgeable without being a know it all. I have a refinn 6m with a mercury 75 hp and am busy getting everything sorted for relaunch "it's on a trailer and hasn't moved in two years". I haven't been out for a long time as I suffered a horrific work injury and had my whole right leg completely crushed whilst loading a boat in Denmark,this boat was a bit bigger with a 1200 tonne crane aboard. It is proving costly to get my trailer back up to spec but by the time lockdown is over it will be ready. You have given me the drive and the fire in my belly to get back out to sea. Thank you from the bottom of my heart John ,you are an inspiration. P.S. it might have taken 2 years but I will be back on the water soon,I have no doubt it will be an emotional moment as I have missed being at sea,I think it is in some people's blood to be a mariner. 👍🏴❤️
Cheers John, kids crying... haha just kidding. This vid is 2 weeks too late, not that it would have made a difference - I'm the happiest broke man on this planet. Money doesn't buy happiness but it will buy you a boat and that's the same thing really. Tight lines 🎣
Anthony Kennedy - I absolutely agree with you. Owning a boat has brought us such joy and has given us such incredible memories. Well worth the money. If you really want something you find a way to make it work. 😊👍🏻🛥💙
Only thing I can think of that you didn't mention and I haven't yet seen in the comments is that if you are a salt water fisherman, you will have to run to the carwash or wash it at home after every trip, so that your trailer doesn't rust out. Kind of common sense, but you wouldn't believe how many boats I seen out here where the axels and hubs are rusted away due to people not washing the saltwater off their trailers. You mentioned electronics, but to specify, lighting is very important. Not sure about your side of the pond, but in the states having functioning lights is a must, and honestly a life saver. Seen people get plowed right into at night, and also seen people break down out in the middle of no where in the middle of the night with no lights to help anyone even know they were stuck out there. Here you are required to have a red light and a green light, one on the front and one on the back. Another expense is maps of the waterways. This is particularly helpful in the bays, as it helps navigate the sandbars and the reefs. Definitely a must have. I suppose the GPS might offer that information these days, but I've never owned one. We always used an Atlas til we became familiar with the areas and could navigate by memory.
Also, I'd like to add that in my experience, relatively common maintenance expenses, particularly on used boats, would be steering cable and gear box replacements.
Hi John. I discovered your channel a few weeks back and I absolutely love it! There are so many values that children these days can be introduced to just by watching your videos (instead of wasting their brains on social media and other "millennial" habits). I have never been out on a boat (other than ferry) and I was thinking about getting one with a friend. If anything, your video helped me decide FOR the boat instead of against one. The reason being that the cost, albeit dear and recurring, can be justified if you think about a 2 week holiday in Spain or anywhere else, where you would make 5 grand disappear without any difficulty. For me, and many of your viewers I am sure, that is a no-brainer. I would much rather choose to go with the boat and spend time in the UK (even with the weather as it is). Anyway, you are awesome! Will you be able to do a video on a step-by-step day out, from the moment you get on your boat until you return from fishing? You may have one already but I could not find it on your list of videos. I am not worried about owning the boat as much as I am worried about not being able to cope with all the sea rules that come with a day out beacons/buoys, sonar, GPS usage, so on... Thank you for another brilliant video and for spending a lot of time and effort to make them!!! Cheers Daniel
- Thank you Daniel. I am really glad that you have decided ( as we did ) that the effort and cost is worth it. I have done several videos covering different aspects that are either on this channel or The FishLocker Workshop. 👍
I am looking around for a small fishing boat with an outboard here in Spain, roughly 5 meters semi cabin like yours. I want to go fishing here, though I have next to no experience. This video, and some others on your channel around small boat buying and ownership have been extremely helpful. Thank you so much!
I recently bought some soft nylon white rope for my new Coast Liner. The deepest I can expect to see is 50 foot deep. I am spreading the cost of this rope as it is expensive but the best to use. 300 feet of this rope so far has cost £75. The reel of rope comes in 98 feet, so with two a long splice to join each section of rope works out at roughly 294 feet total. This is more than enough for me to use in my area. Cheaper rope is available but if you are like me only the best will do. You will also need two types of anchor, Bruce, Grapple or folding grapple. Chain is also expensive at around £5 a meter you can have 8 meters of chain. Then there is a float and Alderney ring £50. If you fish in deeper waters the cost of rope alone can be tripled. Owning a boat can be a money pit as there is always something you want or need.
The best advice I’ve heard in a long time. My father built his from a hull bought in Southampton many years ago . I’ve rebuilt one which cost a load hence the term B.O.A.T ( break out another thousand) and I’m a sucker for punishment I’m rebuilding another 🙈. So the only advice I can give I look for a good boat around 5 k with a spare 5-6k to cover costs upkeep and a hidden problem that may appear good luck to all and tight lines 👍
alun phillips - Wow Alun, you must love punishment. Haha. I fully agree with you, that is a very good way to budget and won’t steer you far wrong. 😉👍🏻🛥
Followed you for a long time , this was by far the most enjoyable and most informative vid you have done. IAt 70 years old i suffer with motion sickness so have very rarely gone out on a boat , so I fish from the shore or rocks, but I thoroughly enjoy your boating exploits, I love the fact that Jamers gets to get out with you, and is so knowledgeable .
Fantastic video once again John.Here in Australia there's so many boats that are garden gnomes because owners weren't honest with themselves answering these basic questions and simply don't have time to take them out,can't afford to take it out or simply have lost interest. You very rarely if ever get your money back when selling a boat to upgrade or simply go boatless too. Some more ongoing costs are boat drivers licence,trailer registration, boat registration,insurance etc. My Little aluminium 14ft pictured in my avatar i bought because it ticked all the right boxes for me listed below that others may find helpful. My budget was $15,000 aud for a brand new boat/trailet package. I wanted a fishing boat to use in rivers,estuaries. I wanted it to be legally towed by a small 4cyl car. I wanted a 14ft runabout fwd steer. I wanted a bare aluminium boat. I wanted it to fit in the garage. I wanted it to be a 2 stroke 30-40hp yamaha. I made sure i could afford the rego,insurance and ALL ongoing costs BEFORE committing to buying.I use mine as much as possible (Weekly if i can ) and love every minute of it. Other ongoing costs on a trailer boat is fuel for both tow vehicle and boat.
Brilliant video John. Excellent advice. A lot of people don’t think of all the additional costs and then get fed up with it very quickly and move on to something else instead of doing a proper costing! Think this will be very good advice for those wanting to buy a boat. Thanks buddy. Very informative. Graham
Graham Allen - Thankyou Graham. That was the plan when making this. Hopefully it will prevent any nasty surprises for folks thinking of getting a boat. It’s not all sunshine and big fish. 😉🎣🛥
Well thought out and explained, I couldn,t justify a boat for myself, I don,t have the time or money so i,ll just watch on youtube because I enjoy it 👍👍
This advice is gold dust. Top drawer. Utter common sense. Note every point twice or more before working out your budget. I grew up on the Ceredigion coast and have watched any number of owners and syndicates shelling out £1000s to maintain a boat in harbour that just sits there. I think the top comment I ever heard about being a non-professional boat owner is that "the best two days of ownership are the day you buy the vessel and the day you sell it." Listen to the man.
@@TheFishLocker Absolutely. You talk common sense. This advice applies to life, let alone boat ownership. Most people should consider comparable factors, even say having the ambition to own a house rather than renting. Itemise every cost against your income. You might be a great fisherman ...and you are... but you have the rare quality of being a far better communicator.
Hi what a great bit of advice for those wanting to own a boat. I have decided on a sip as I have no storage, limited funds etc. As I only intend to fish in and around a couple of harbours with maybe fishing very close inshore on settled days maybe only 1/2 mile out this will do for me coupled with a 4 hp motor it will do for me. Thanks for doing this video. Bill
Easy Fishing - Bill I have a couple of friends that are doing exactly what you described. Perfectly suits their situation and fishing. Good luck to you mate. 😊🎣👍🏻🛥
I have been thinking about buying a boat for years but I would never have time to get out due to my job, this video really changed my mind and is definitely not worth it. Great video !!!
Fish Fish - It was my pleasure mate, if it helps folks out then it was worth doing. If you have any groups or friends who you think would benefit from this, please share it on. I’d really appreciate it 😉👍🏻🛥🎣
Really sound advice John. in my experience getting the absolute best engine you can afford as part of a any boat package definitely pays dividends. Nothing worse than a temperamental engine when you are at sea, and I say that from a bad experience in my first secondhand boat purchase. The only minor bit of kit not mentioned is a pair of decent baffles and a hosepipe to give the engine a regular freshwater flushing whenever possible. All the best and tight lines!
I been doing some major Overtime time to collect 10k on a boat (used),made it half ways so far,,but after Your video..I'm happy and broken in the same time I'll stick to and inflatable..thank brotha stay up!!
Hi John, I was contemplating myself to justify the cost of owning one vs charter trips. But kids won't be able to go and explore the sea, fishing at sea and the travelling which will cost a bit but he ho we only live once. Let's live to the fullest.thank you John. I enjoy all the videos that you created and thank you for taking the time to entertain, educate and guide us all here.
- That is it Kris, it isn't always easy and it is a big responsibility but I wanted my children to have access to the sea and a boat during their childhoods and it is a decision I have not regretted once. 😊
It's good to see you covering the pro's/con's of owning a boat. As you mentioned, it's not just the initial outlay of the cost of the boat, but also the ongoing costs of keeping it and running it each year. Advice I would offer someone buying their first boat would be to take a navigation & seamanship course before you set sail. Thanks for another great vid John.
PatBot - That is very true mate, I do mention the courses in my “Small boat safety” video. They are a great foundation of knowledge for any boat user. 👍🏻😉🛥
You'll need a basic tool kit & essential spares, spark plug manual pull start rope etc, other than that you gave a comprehensive account of what's involved in owning a small boat. I wish I had seen this before getting mine, I used it a lot in the first season, not so much in the second, pumped a fortune into it over the next few years & haven't touched it since. This is a brilliant & informative video, thanks for posting it. If you're toying with the idea of buying a boat, think long & hard first.
I think the sales reps from Evinrude may have something to say about your 4/2 stroke comparison ;) Running my 20ft boat, 90HP engine, pontoon berth, for a year costs me around 3 grand. Or in other words the most expensive "free" fish you'll ever find. It's only money I'd be pissing up a wall otherwise so wouldn't change it for anything.
Great advice! Always had smaller boats til I went 1/2 with a good friend on a bigger safer faster boat. Love my 115 evinrude. Direct injection 2 stroke. Very fuel efficient and reliable. Old Yamaha 4 stroke was also very reliable but heavier. I thinks it was slower and less efficient just due to the weight savings but to be honest I didn’t keep accurate fuel usage.
You only live once, fill it with experiences! I've just bought a nice 520 myself and am kitting it out. It's working out roughly £6k boat, £2k extras (plus the 1000-mile round trip to get it, from Glasgow to Maidstone and back!). I'm getting a few luxuries such as a nice nav arch, some custom side rails that'll be taller and wider than the Orkney ones, a new auxiliary, a Hook 2 9 inch combo unit with Navionics, plus all the boating basics (anchoring, lifejackets, flares, tools etc). I don't want to look back one day when I'm too old and wish I'd done it!
- Dan that is exactly the way I see it. It has been hard at times and it is a big commitment but I wanted our children to have access to a boat growing up and I wanted to be able to teach our kids about the ocean and to fish. Activities and memories that when Im old will be worth more than any money.
How many times have you got out on your boat since you got it? Where do you keep it? I know maidstone and the surrounding area well so I'm curious. I'm debating getting a boat myself..hence all the questions
Kevin Johnson - Hopefully like you say this will help folks out and maybe prevent a few nasty surprises. As I say, if you cannot afford the outlay solo you could always look at a boat share?
your absolutely spot on with boat costs. however if you buy a boat and you need to trailer it you need to think about where you are going to launch. slips are not always available or in a condition that a 2 wheel drive vehicle can handle. this means your adding a 4x4 vehicle to the costs. I have had small boats for decades and enjoy the ownership but they are a drain on time and money however the rewards can be huge.
This was an eye opener. I have wanted a boat for years. Something like a cheap cabin cruiser, but after this video I will have to think twice, Such a shame as it's my dream to get on the water.
Thanks a LOT for sending me this link after I told you I was thinking of getting a boat. You really talk sense and I'm actually definitely going to buy a shared boat with 2 of my mates now, as this seems most sensible for me as I don't think I can justify the costs to only use it a few times per season. Much respect.
Wow John...that should have frightened most people off. Now you’ve done the vlog for small boat owners...can you do one for boat owners who are over six feet tall😉⛵️👍
we have a boat and use it all the time we can despite living in Western Canada where the lakes are frozen ~6mths of the year. Your advise John is great but you missed a large cost........all the fishing tackle :) cheers
John, you are so right. I bought a Merry Fisher earlier this year. Cost me £31k. Oncosts (marina berthing, insurance, fuel etc etc ) are at least 10% of that. But end of the day I love the boat, have spent many happy hours out on her, and don't regret buying her one bit. It's all a question of scale. I love my boat!
Top job, really nice channel. If anything you’ve underplayed the expense of running a boat, geography also plays a part especially when pontoon or marina mooring. Your £1000 six month pontoon mooring turns into an easy £3500 for a 17 ft boat in the Solent, particularly in Lymington. I’m very hands on with my Whaler, doing virtually all maintenance. Running and mooring costs still average about 5k a year so it’s not for maggot skinners. On the positive side it can be truly magical to have these life affirming moments possible on a boat fishing. You’ve also got an easy method of body disposal if she kicks up too much about the cost.
Good advice there mate. I've spent a small fortune on boats but I'm out fishing every chance I get so no regrets. Once you've spent the money you gotta make the time to fish. Love your passion for every thing fishing. tight lines!
Hi John. I have been looking into buying a boat for fishing off. After watching this vid I still wasnt convinced, but after reading ALL the comments I have had my bubble well and truly busted. You're all over this subject mate. Thank you for such good advice, I wont be buying a boat any time soon. I will just have to content myself with shore fishing. On the other hand I am really looking forward to taking my little girl shore scavenging after watching your other vid. Thanks again and God bless.
Behold, I stand at the door - I am very sorry if this has upset you at all. But I thought it was important to give people this information and hopefully prevent them from having any nasty expensive surprises. There are half way alternatives. Kayaks, boat shares or SIB’s if you really want to get afloat. But other than that. Just save your pennies. All the best to you and your family and good luck taking your girl fishing 😊👍🏻🎣🍽
Great advice! I would imagine it's more personal preference on Aluminum vs. Fiberglass, but I always thought aluminum was louder in the water, but less maintenance. And being lighter, might be a better choice for a smaller boat, especially if there are trailering weight concerns. I still prefer fiberglass, myself, but there are a lot of pros and cons to both. Your thoughts?
That's a very good and straight video. Perhaps some of the cost estimates are on the low side if anything. I had a rib for five years and it's always in the back of your mind that the tubes will need replacing in the future. I spent most of my time landing fish for kids so they didn't puncture the tubes. I enjoyed it but I didn't get to fish much. I had quite a journey to get to water so add in a good fuel bill for travelling. You need to be very good at reversing a trailer as some of the boat ramps can be very awkward. You will need 4 wheel drive as sea ramps get very slippery and often a 2 wheel drive can fail to pull you up the ramp. It is also amazing how little deck space there is on some boats and you may find there is only room for one or two people to fish at a time. It is always colder and windier at sea so you need a really good day for it to be enjoyable. You need top to toe waterproofs on an open boat. There is often very little storage on a small boat so nowhere for lunches coats etc etc. There is a great sense of freedom on a boat though. It's like I'm in charge here and all those laws and rules that we have to comply with daily just drop away. That's how I felt anyway.
vinniesdayoff - I did mention about having a suitable vehicle for the trailering. Fuel bills for trailering could be compared against a berth to see which is the most cost effective? Good comment mate. I especially like your explanation of how being out on the boat makes you feel. Its hard to explain isn’t it, but passionate boat owners all feel it. Tight lines. 😊🎣👍🏻🛥
Take note all you future boat owners. If you do not follow this man's advice you will end up buying a hole in the water into which you will be required to throw all your money. So take note and heed his advice you have been warned.
@@TheFishLocker ii have just bought a new orkney 16 plus thay plain very well new hull disighn 18mph with 20 hours outboard tiller just retired and love it keep up the good work
Another brilliant video bud 👍. Very sound advice. Owning a boat is shockingly expensive, although I don't own a boat myself my father owns a 21 foot boat with my brother. Costs them 1700 euro a year to keep it on the marina in Kilmore Quay. The father lost a boat in the eighties from a shit mooring in another harbour so for years had a smaller boat which he would keep at home. Eventually the boats got bigger until it had to go on marina.
gary lawlor - That is a good average for yearly costs. My greatest costs are fuel and berthing fees. It is my passion and gives me and the family such joy - so we make it work. 😉👍🏻🎣🛥
Many years ago a close friend bought a boat, a 17ft Micro plus. He was a car mechanic and thought he knew what he was getting into, he should have taken someone with him that actually knew about boats. The boat turned out to have osmosis ( water ingress in to the GPR hull ) this cost a lot of money in materials, time and Labour to sort out. The trailer was rotten, a new trailer was needed! The main two stroke engine and small back up engine were both very problematic and eventually needed replacing, the boat needed rewiring, instruments replacing, etc etc. To cap it all, the boat was not suitable for the type of fishing in very strong tides around the area he lived in. He probably spent close to £5000 on top of the £2000 purchase price to get the boat and trailer in running order. I think he used it less than half a dozen times, realising the boat wasn't safe for the waters he wanted to go fishing in. He eventually sold the outfit for about £2500, taking a big loss. Eventually those £40 charter fishing trips he had previously been on seemed like pretty good value. The moral of all this is that If you are a novice boat buyer, make sure you take someone with you who is familiar with boats and can give you an honest unbiased opinion on your potential purchase!!
Experience from my days owning a Colvic 20' 6" day fisher - consider having a two battery setup in case one dies - an extra £100 out of 10k saves a lot of grief. Similarly have two bilge pumps if you are on a mooring - £20 to save sinking is a no brainer. If you are in the UK look up radio licensing and the mmsi system. I had my vhf, complete with mmsi linked to my gps, under a flap on the VHF was a red emergency button that would send an emergency signal to the coastguard, complete with position - NB IF YOU ARE IN RANGE - even the kids that came out could understand to press the button if there was trouble such as the two adults on board clashing heads and knocking each other out or somehow falling overboard. Whenever outboards are used there is a possibility of spark pugs failing or fuel tube splitting so have spares, self amalgamating tape and a few tools on board. Also with outboards do not forget a spare shear pin for the prop and a hammer and punch to get the old one out. Most importantly make sure that whoever you have informed of your plans in case you are overdue knows what to do. In the UK this is call 999 and ask for the coastguard. Why mention this? It is obvious is it not? Everyone knows what to do - well the wife of one of my friends called me one day as he was overdue. In fact he had simply misjudged the tide and could not get back in the harbour a call to the coastguard and a physical check and all her worries were dispelled but between us we had overlooked 'the obvious'.
Great honest advice and video, nothing to add really only that there is always a temptation to go bigger, but as others say a smaller boat your comfortable with will/may be used more frequently, also here in the UK as long as you look after them they don't depreciate much unlike a car. The boat is really only as reliable as the engine so when buying one focus on the engine as you can fix a boat but a unreliable engine will play on your mind and thats hard to fix.
Good advice. Also worth pointing out that you need to budget for decent weatherproofs if all year round use...not cheap for good kit like goretex. A decent first aid kit is a must and think about emergency procedures. Fire extinguishers a must and budget for testing and refilling. If mooring on a bouy you need to budget for a small row boat or inflatable to get you out to your mooring too. Annual maintenance needs a lot of time as well as money and working out your list of replaceables needs to be realistic. A small boat sub 20ft could need up to £3k annually for mooring, servicing and maintenance plus kit revenue costs or more. Worth noting that there's the option of electric auxilliary motors these days with a solar charging panel which can be used to trickle charge the batteries for the electric motor and main motor. They can be lighter than traditional 4hp auxilliaries so wont affect balance as much. The more solar panels the better....use a deep cycle leisure batteries for that and all other electrics....theres a few hundred battery costs just for that. Costs can run away. I would budget 50% boat and 50% everything else.
Paul C - Great comment Paul, loads of useful info on there. I mention about the safety equipment in my safety equipment video. And your mooring fees are about on par with what the costs are here. Good comment mate. 👍🏻😊🛥
glad i found your channel john.you do some great stuff,please keep it up.i've had a couple of boats in the past,nothing special,but would like to do it again.well pleased with the info you have supplied here.
Daddy Paddy - Haha. I think I would consider those the worst. The sting of parting with the money would be fresh and then saying goodbye would be bitter. 😆🛥😔
@@TheFishLocker sorry buddy just my twisted sense of humor 🤦🏻♂️, I served just shy of 9 years as D class helmsman on the Minehead lifeboat crew and part of our service was to give free safety/equipment checks to new boat owners etc etc and it was a running joke amoungst the fine Muppets I served with! Love your content mate. Keep it up yeah 👍
Hiya John, as usual bang on mate! Living in Australia has given me the opportunity to buy a boat. Expenses are slightly different over here starting from a clean sheet, we can add taking a test and paying for a boating test and a boating licence ( i think the cost is irrelevant because of different countries ), however ,these are extra costs over here before I even bought my boat ! I decided to take my boating test and my PWC test at the same time because I could, but only payed for a boating licence because the PWC test is cheaper but licence MORE expensive. The boat is a Quintrex 475 Freedom Sport with a 60 HP Yamaha outboard 4 Stroke (for exactly the same reasons as yourself ). We got it for fishing too and with the boat we had a Minn Kota on the front port side and two batteries. We decided on Power steering as an EXTRA cost after we bought it so dial that in as a possible future cost. Fish finder and a Lowrance Elite 7 Combo . Notes for new owners, the motors NEED to run regularly and winterised if not using it through the winter. Other added cost could be for maintenance equipment like a tool kit for outboard maintenance on the water and an extra set of spark plugs with an extraction plug ( car one is no use because it's too fat ). Screwdrivers are not cheap either. You need a separate toolkit which should be kept on the boat in case you forget to load one up.Fuel is an obvious cost which we can't escape. Trailer came with boat and is fixed with grease buddies? ( i think that's what they are called). So dial in marine axle grease and a grease gun ( for those non mech of us. These are one off costs for the most part, however, it is a cost which is not usually thought about when buying a boat. Watch out for those very short visits to the boating marinas where touch up paints etc can take a big bite out of you. Also be aware of perishables on your boat like Sacrificial Anodes with cost not on a usual service. If you think of the cost of running a car then think of a boat as being MORE costly because of the nature of salt water etc..... sorry for going on a tad John and again if I doubled up on some things you've already mentioned. But a great presentation as usual mate and thanks for all your knowledge and effort with video etc. Looking forward to next one.
@@Hahehhwgajshah72726.. Hi mate. I doubt if you'll regret it and I wouldn't go more than a 70 Hp outboard and a min of 60 hp for a 4 stroke ( way too noisy for 2 strokes ). The rest is about what you need for safety and then luxuries. Just be aware that you can only have a certain size of engine for the boat you choose. I've seen some boats with outboards which are way too highly rated for their boats. Good luck and be safe mate.
Hooked - I was just having this conversation with a good friend of mine who is a very good kayak angler. If that suits your fishing needs. Go for it. 👍🏻🎣😉🐟
Loads of invaluable information in this video. Also worth remembering, the bigger the boat, the bigger the costs. We currently have a merry fisher 805 with diesel inboard. Kept in a marina for 12 months a year. It costs us roughly 4-5k a year in berthing and maintenance/insurance etc etc. On top of that things always need fixed / replaced, this year we’ve had to have a new bow thruster and upgraded the chart plotter, although this wasn’t an absolute necessity the old was was of an age with a small screen and fiddly to use. BUTTTT nothing beats being out on the water making memories!! Also, the way things are currently with used boat prices, we’d likely get a lot more than we paid for it!! But, i must stress… never buy a boat as an ‘investment’ they will drive you mad if you dont go in with your eyes wide open, they are a huge commitment, and neglect only pushes your costs north! Start small and if you still love the boating life after a couple of years, look at upgrading. Some of my best boating memories are me as a kid pulling pots, fishing etc for with my dad in his orkney strikeliner.
All true words Chris. Having our boat hasn't always been easy and as you say it is a commitment but being able to allow our kids access to a boat and the water growing up is worth it. 😊
Couldnt agree more!! Nothing beats breaking out way through the traffic in town to the marina on a Saturday morning to head away from the madness. Appreciate the reply, replying to all your comments must take an age!! Thats commitment… and it shows. Addicted to your channels. Keep up the GREAT work.
I wasn't going to watch this video,as I do not own a boat .BUT after watching it, It has gave me a more clear understanding as I have been pondering about it . I myself will be getting a sib or kayak next year .. sound advice from John as always.. I definitely need to come Fishing with you John..well done on a cracking video again..
saltwater lure fishing - Thankyou very much mate. Yes this video isn’t just for boat owners, it may help people decide that boats are definitely not for them. I know a lot of folks who do amazing things with SIB’s and kayaks. All the best mate. Tight lines. 😉👍🏻🎣🐟
One more cost to add John ... Ive rebuilt and maintained River cruisers of all sizes on fresh water with old engines and outdrives for years and they certainly have made my eyes water with costs on many an occasion. if i was on Salt water, those costs would have trebled as the salt just EATS everything from your outboard to your wiring. Need to add that to the list as routine maintenance after every outing is a must and be prepared to replace parts regularly.. Saying that, as you were reading through those costs, i realised its still much cheaper than my missus.. :-)
I used to date a guy, many years ago, he had a beautiful 65 foot 6 berth cruiser. We had great times on that boat, but he always said every boat owner has two fantastic days. The day they buy their boat and the day they sell it! I miss that boat.
Fuel, light board, lights on the boat, rod holders, boat rods, tool kit. Great video. I have heard it said that there's two days you never forget when you get your first boat. The day you bought it and the day you get rid of the f@£#ing thing!
Great video and so true. I owned a boat years back and it's all those expenses and then some. With older boats, there's always something breaking down, guaranteed. Now I go out fishing on my buddies boat. He's the one with all the responsibility. Although I always kick in on expenses when I go. 50/50. And, I always help him clean it up after trip. Not all people realize or do those things.
So true, I recently bought a little 13ft orkney cheap to leave on the beach for messing about in the bay. One thing leads to another and its now fully equipped with all safety equipment, vhf and fishfinder on a trailer 😂
Great practical discussion - also think about going on a course to understand practical boat handling and navigation - Weather, Tides and Currents are very important in the UK plus you will need a VHF radio licence which is also a course. On the Flip side there is great family fun to be had on the water even if the fishing is off!
I just found your channel and think it's fabulous and have subscribed, I now live in Australia, and am looking at buying a small boat, ( in Australian Jargon, a tinny, which is basically Aluminium, very popular in Oz).This video is very good at pointing out the basics of boat buying, I reckon the maintenance cost of a small boat would be similar to owning a car, you have all the same needs, insurance, annual service, break downs, maintenance, etc, etc, also the bigger the boat the bigger the expenses, so maybe start of small and if you are keen after a year or two you can upgrade with the knowledge and experience gained with the smaller boat, thanks for a great channel👍
david - Thank you and welcome to the channel David. Yes Tinny is a very Oz term for a boat. I knew what you meant but here if you said I’m off out to buy a tinny they’d likely think you meant a can or lager. 😛 I absolutely agree that you should start small and work up to a bigger boat as your experience grows. 😉👍🏻
Brilliant information and advice. Thank you. I’m seriously looking at buying a small boat, trailer and outboard motor and feel more confident now having listened viewed the video.
Depending how you launch you may also need waders? A decent coat and depending on the boat you could benefit from a half canopy! I have also found it useful to have spares ( winch strap , fule line with bulb and engine/ tank connectors) I maybe going too far but I have needed them....
Nice advice. I had a 10ft GRP Dinghy with 9.5 hp, Back in the day Hastings beach car park was free and i could drag it down the beach using a couple of drain pipe's and i'd tow it back up the beach using a very long rope. Back then the only worry was bait and fuel, I only had to go out about a mile and there's a mud bank about 10 fathom's deep and we would catch some lovely Plaice. One time i had to row back as the engine wouldn't start, i remember the old boy saying i should have taken plenty of petrol, i held up two full cans and he was like oh you want a tow. Happy days :) Turned out there was water behind the stop button which stopped it starting. That set up cost me £200 around 1983, and was the best time. I'd just say you don't have to spend 1,000 to enjoy the water . Be lucky Spider. P.s. do you have a little seagull as a back up?
Great video with good advice for people starting out. Remember all the additional costs with boating. I have my Orkney on the trailer on drive in winter and on the pontoon for summer months this way I know its safe in winter and ready to use if the sun ever comes out.{Scotland}.
This boy talks pure sense LISTEN ALL .
David Hughes - 😬 My wife may disagree. 😆
@@TheFishLocker you missed fishing licence fees or dont they apply for private small boats ?
Anthony Magowan clown
Great video John, I used to have an Orkney 520 brilliant boats. I agreed with the boss (wife) that we wanted to go a little bigger she wanted a head on-board rather than a bucket. I now have a Merry Fisher 625 so just a little larger than the Orkney 520 but the costs go up exponentially. Engine services from my 30hp Mercury to my 115hp Honda have gone from £250 to £500, I now moor on a pontoon for ease of use versus launching each time via the slip. Annual charges at the marina have gone from £1700 to £3800. Daily fuel has gone from £25 to £50 average. I also bought a trailer for maintenance and to tow down to Mylor which was £2300 2nd hand and then another £500 to service it up once bought. My recommendation is to stay on a trailer for costs and maintenance and stay around the 18ft mark for best cost to fun ratio. Bigger boats are really nice but they do cost a lot more.
Mark Adams - That is a fantastic comment mate with loads of great info for anyone reading. I think I will possibly go up to a. 19ft boat but that’s my lot. 🛥👍🏻😉
@@TheFishLocker John, what would you buy if looking to pay 10k tops for the whole set-up. I think that’s roughly what your set up is? Orkney 520 or something else?
I don't think there's a video that exists where the person talks more sense than this guy.
Thanks for the honest and simple description.
Brilliant video.
I just hope that the video helps people to avoid any expensive mistakes. 😊👍🏻
I thought I could't afford a boat... now i Know i can't. thanks for ruining my dreams at 2 AM
Princess Llama - Aww. Sorry 😔 But like I say, if you really want it you will make it work. 👍🏻🎣🐟🛥
Well, you might wanna consider buying a kayak (yes, seriously)
@@asfdestroyer where as not a terrible idea i don't have storage for one. (yes i did look into it, but it's not practical for me. at least not the now)
@@princessllama2663 There are very nice inflatable kayaks. I use one for recreation and can do 30-40km in a whole day on the sea. I keep it in the trunk of my car
Princess Llama there are now a range of inflatable kayaks that are surprisingly good! I have seen up close the inflatable sail boards and they are rock solid. Just a thought.
I like this guy. Honest, open and transparent. Seems like a good guy with good intentions. Subscribed. 👍🏻
- Thank you very much Neil and welcome to our channel. I hope that you enjoy the rest of our content and if you have any questions - leave us a comment and I'll try to get back to you. 😄
You’re welcome. And thank you.
I have owned boats. (Too old for it now) Listen to this young man, what he says is realistic and makes good sense, especially about co-ownership which is a good idea so long as you are prepared to be flexible. Best done with a group of people who already know each other. Listen to what he says about maintenance because if you don't keep up with it you will end up with a wreck within a few years. The boat lives in an hostile, salt environment and has to have money spent on it each year to protect it and its motor. This guy is a natural and should be on mainstream TV. Bravo.
- Thank you very much Gerald. I am glad that you agree with my opinions and honesty assessment. Take care and have a great day. 😊
Been having mixed feelings about buying a boat. And you’ve just swayed me.... I’ll stick to £25 a go fishing trips from my local harbour!
Thank you for all the time and effort you put in to educating everyone. Your a top man 👍
that sounds like a bargain tbh
Princess Llama - I agree. I cannot remember the last time a charter trip cost me £25. 😆🎣
Dave Phillips - Glad I could help Dave. 👍🏻😉🛥🎣
Damn that is a great price!
@@otroflores91 In San Francisco area it's more than $100 for one trip. £25 is literally a steal. Although a charter boat give you less flexibilities though. e.g. If you are done and want to come back earlier. Too bad.
They’re are many things I could say but to give some figures to your good point on 2 stroke oil. Before I upgraded to 4 stroke. I had a 40hp 2 stroke mariner for which needed 25:1 fuel to oil ratio and a 2 litre bottle of oil was about £30, I have 2 25 litre tanks so with both tanks full that was an entire bottle of oil plus fuel costs so it is far more cost effective to go four stroke for me.
Thank you.
Great vid, total sense. As a Yachty with aspirations to eventually owning a sailing yacht in my retirement. I totally agree with all you've said. Many friends that have owned vessels have said that the happiest day of their life is when they take ownership of said boat and the second happiest is when they have sold it. if you take your purchase price end divide by 4 you'll have your yearly running cost.
Steven Norbury - I haven’t heard that Steve, but when thinking about it. That 1/4 estimate is not far off. Great comment. 👍🏻🛥
Thanks for the nice explanation of the situation with the boat selection. I love boating and owned a boat since I was in school... Now, some 30 years later, I have the following formula: A 3.60m Kolibri MD SIP wit solid flooring, inflatable keel and a 15hp two stroke Yamaha FMHS as a portable kit and a 16 ft with a 50hp on a trailer at the garage. Cost of ownership and operations is nice and minimal for the SIP, as the fuel use of 15hp Yamaha is 5-6 l/h at WOT and I rarely go through one 25l tank in a day and for those long camping trips I have a lovely 45 liter tank on wheels that actually doubles up as a table in the middle of the boat. For this kit I go through about 3 one liter cans of oil that add up to 150l fuel per season. Oil to use - TC-W3. I particularly like Johnson/Evinrude XD30 or XD50 oil (Low smoke, clean plugs, engine not gumming up... I always run 50:1 premix.). It takes me 45 minutes solo to inflate and rig the boat, but you have to be really close to water, because all items have to be carried by hand, or wheelbarrowed. Boat made out of high PVC material density is 60kg, the engine is 36 kg and fuel in a can be up to 30kg. So just mind your back or better have someone to assist you. A very good idea is an electric air pump to inflate and deflate your boat. Now, if you plan to use this kit in colder weather solo- just forget about it. Boat becomes stiff and it is nearly impossible to assemble the flooring panels on your own. Othervise - brill! fast, fun, mobile and convenient. Make sure you get those extra soft pillows for the seats, or you will have a "baboon ass" towards the end of the day. Electronics: basic fishfinder with GPS plotter.
The second kit is good for longer trips and further from shore. Used to have a nice 4 cylinder 50hp fuel injected 4stroke Yamaha on the boat, but it was nicked. This is always sad and it can happen. So, now I have a Johnson 50 2 stroke that no one wants to steal from me and this is also a separate line of expense. Let's start with Yamaha 50hp 4 cycle... My boat has a stationary 60L fuel tank and I would run a healthy 45km/h at 4500 rpm burning 8 l/hour. My fishing spots are usually 2 hours away, so up to 30-35 liters just to get me there and back and remaining 20-25 to move about in search of fish and for trolling. John’s boat with a 30hp would be much more economical burning about 5 liters at cruising speeds though. If I go WOT at 5500 rpm on the Yamaha - I burn 12+ l/h.... As for my good old long shaft Johnson, the fuel story is different. At WOT it happily guzzles up to 17l/h and at cruising speeds it sips 12-14l/h (this is a pint every 3 minutes!!!*8). So a 4 hour round trip is 48-56 liters of fuel and every time I go slightly above 5000 rpm - 60L for a day trip is not sufficient. Therefore I have to carry a healthy reserve of at least 30 liters and a small 10L can just in case. The rule here is better to come back with unused fuel reserve that run out of fuel on the water. It all adds up to 100L/day. And guess what... 100 liter of fuels needs 2 liters of oil. Add this to your running costs. Always carry reserve oil on board.
Apart from that - the trailer needs new bearings replaced every two years. As for electronics: a nice chart plotter with a modern fish finder is a must. VHF of your choice. Anchor winch is a must (in my humble opinion), motorguide is really nice to have, boat batteries at 100A/H and second battery to start the motor if first one runs out - also expensive. From my point of view, the boat option you select must be convenient. It is easy to pull a trailer to the gas station and fill the tanks up, but it is more complicated is you need to feed your larger two stroke with jerry cans, especially if it goes through them faster than you can carry them to the boat. As for the car - I burned several clutches over the years trying to pull out a boat from a steep slip, so, in my humble opinion, an old timer automatic transmission 4*4 car with hydraulic coupling are much better for this purpose. Not sure about ultramodern CVT and other robotic gear cases. They might not withstand such abuse.
I have a warrior 175, I would say a day on the water is going to cost £50 that's fuel, a few pasties, bait depending on what the target is and a few pints back at the marina and that is on top of all the other costs that John has mentioned. But the memories and quality time I have had since owning a boat has been priceless, we as family love being out on the water.
Dean Hadfield - My boats have brought such pleasure and joy to my life and shared memories with my kids that I feel it is absolutely worth it. 👍🏻😊💙🛥🎣
Yes spot on Dean depending on the marks I'm travelling to the fuel for a day out costs me between £30 and £80 I have a 115hp on a Merry Fisher 625
Mark Adams I agree depending on the forecast and the target species impacts the effort put in to the days fishing. No body wants to fail.
Nice and simple advice there, hit the nail on the head. It's not a cheap do anymore and to do it properly and safely costs money. I've owned boats most of my adult life but have always been trailered and soon learned that it was a lot of money sat there most of the year doing nothing. I took the decision to put my latest boat on a marina pontoon at £1500 a year for a 5 meter boat. It's expensive but the best thing I ever did, all my kit is left on there secure, just turn up at the boat with bait and a brew, turn the key and go! Love your videos, keep em coming.
- Absolutely Martin, its all about justifying the cost. I hope this video helps folks out and helps to avoid any nasty surprises. :)
Thanks John. I got the boat bug a couple of years ago and decided to start with a sib. Works great for me as I live in the city and am lucky to get my van parked. Takes half an hour to get form the van to the water. All 12v from a boat battery to a trolling motor that's ideal to get offshore.
Tommy Harvie - Thats brilliant Tommy, if it works for you and gets you where you want to go that perfect. 👍🏻🎣🛥
This report John, is exactly true thanks. I bought my boat for £1,800 and over 7 years I have spent over £9000
on exactly what was told and still paying.
I have a 14ft Dejon and I do day and night, I had to fit lights etc. "One man said to me if you do not like
someone tell him to buy a boat".
One thing I would like to add is. The cost of an experienced skipper. John's experience is there for all to see and this shows in his fishing. Don't be fooled thinking you can buy a boat with all the toys and catch like him, this takes years to learn. Spend a good amount going out with top class skippers like Skeggy in Lymington and see if it's for you and learn how to fish, anchor, set up a drift and so on. Great video.
I second this comment
👍👍👍😜🏴🦄🎣😁✌️
Ivon Coles - I hope this comes across in many of my videos. It is the asking questions, learning from others and sharing information that will help us all to build our knowledge and ultimately catch more fish. 👍🏻😉🎣🐟🐟
I have outfished many a twat in their fancy "bass boats" and center consoles out of my tin jon boat.
I would suggest to anyone thinking about buying a boat,that they spend at least a year fishing ,boating and launching with someone like John or someone with years of experience, before rushing off to buy a boat.Boats and the sea are great but also can be very dangerous, John is a experienced skipper, and makes it look easy,but im sure he will tell you he has had his scary moments.He is a Good fisherman as well ,as a sensible man .Perhaps John might cover this area weather, wind against tides, boat handling, overloading, solo safety boat balance, speed, planning, and positioning in rough weather etc.Look forward to more on your channel.
John Highland - Hi John, Thankyou for the comment. Definitely will be helpful at helping folks realise the reality of boat owning. I do cover some safety aspects as they arise in the videos and have done a “small boat safety equipment” video. I will look at doing any more I can on the subject. Great comment. 👍🏻🎣🛥🐟
Good job. When I bought my first boat a 1995 17ft Whaler Dauntless I pulled the trigger to quickly. I'm no lugnut but in the first season I had to replace the fuel sender, steering cable, two batteries, battery switch, bottom paint$$, axle and leaf springs, hubs bearings, run new wires for bow and stern, 300ft 1/2 inch anchor line, anchor life jackets, flares, $1500,00 for a mooring a mile from shore and a dingy with motor, insurance, registration SeaTow, couple of guages, Prop repaired, plugs, water separator, boat stands, cover and more.
The following season I sold it for less than I paid for it and with the wifes ok stretched the budget and bought a 2014 21ft Dauntless CC with a low hours Mercury 150 hp with a 40 gallon tank that had never seen salt water. I paid to have that one surveyed and it didnt need anything. I was going to trailer that one but the old lady surprised me with a slip that cost $2250.00. These days i can just step onto my boat and go which is slicker than snot on glass.
The only thing i can recommend is that if your going to spend any significant money for the boat you get it surveyed or at least take a bud who knows his chit. Buyer beware. arg.
Moldering One - That is so absolutely true. When viewing a second hand boat. If you don’t know, bring someone who does know. It is like buying a car only more likely to go wrong and less easy to repair. Now you have a great working boat. How much joy does it give you compared to how much it cost? 😊🛥🐟
ñew on has 25 galoñ buliñt in tàñk or 80 hp ektrc lithum baterieß
I've been looking into buying a boat when I retire soon and have read and watched everything I've been able to find on the subject. This has contained more useful information than all of the rest put together. I was once told that a boat is a hole in the water surrounded by wood into which you throw money. Thanks for the sound, practical and unvarnished advice. Great channel btw. Top job all round.
mynature - I am very pleased to hear that the video was helpful and informative for you. That is why I made it. If you have any other questions you can think of that I didn’t answer, just give me a comment. Tight lines. 😉👍🏻🛥🎣
"touch wood" and he knocks his head...lol what a humble lad, love this channel
- Thank you, we are simply sharing what we know and love doing mate. 😊
I had a jetski set up for fishing. Jetski fishing is really popular here. I paid $10k for the ski & trailer, then still put another $3k into it. Everything is just much more expensive to cope with the marine environment. If you don't use stainless steel, you'll have to keep replacing items. Even though I enjoyed it, I wasn't sad to see it roll up my driveway on the back of somebody else truck. One of the things that surprised me more than anything is that some lads get on a jetski, never having ridden one before & more importantly, they have no education of seamanship or navigation rules.
Another great video. Thanks for all your effort.
Ian Laccohee - It isn’t just jet skis, I see it all the time. People buying big powerful boats having never owned or even manned one before. No concept of seamanship or safety. It’s really scary sometimes 🤷🏻♂️🤦🏻♂️🛥🎣
I would always say start small work your way up. Or at least until you get used to boating and know what sort of boat and motor will suit you in the future.
Trojs Fishing - I didn’t even think of saying it like that. My natural progression was small to bigger but that was only as my budget grew with my age. Good shout mate. 👍🏻🛥🎣
I bought a SIB a RIB an electric outboard & battery, 2 Fishing kayaks, fish finders, GPS, a wet suit + dry suit , a floatation suit, life jackets, a ton of railblaza stuff along with 2 Go Pro's for a fraction of the cost of a boat, I don't regret it, I use my Kayak's twice a week.. and my RIB is perfect for inshore fishing.. But your right John... if you can't justify the cost (I couldn't) especially the running costs, mooring, insurance etc.. etc... I would highly recommend to anyone, to look at all the alternatives. in my opinion nothing compares to fishing from a Kayak, it's also not for everyone obviously, but perfect for myself. Kayaking gives you Popeye's arms Lol... I just need a pipe and some spinach.. ach ach.. ach... ach. Great video very useful and informative.. keep it up John your channel is excellent mate.
VR_GAMERS - Excellent comment mate. Kayaks perfectly fit the bill for some anglers. The information you gave will be great for them reading. One thing I will add is possibly some older anglers may find the physicality of kayaking too much. So boating may be more for them on those grounds. 😊👍🏻🛥🎣
Hidden cost, the wine the Mrs consumes and the cleaning of the portaloo when she won't hang her arse off the side! 🤣
wesley chidgey - 😆🤣👍🏻🛥
i bought a 15ft boat with a running 2 stroke engine. 2 weeks ago, the starbord, port lights are brand new got them for free since they followed with the boat., lantern i got for free, the only thing i paid for was the new paint, ancher, rope, and some boat cleaner, there is no fee to let your boat out at the marina here, i already have first aid kit, and a fire estingusher, i only use it in the lakes here to fish. the boat cost me 1709 pounds including a good trailer. and i have just bought 175 pounds worth of items. so it really depends on person to person, but i really like your opinion it helps people understand that owning a boat is not cheap, and i have a boat saving fund of another 2000 pounds just for emergency if i need new parts or anything. so money wise its planned out, and i love taking my dad and brother out fishing every chance i get, its really worth it the memories i get is priceless. and im the same as you i want my kids to grow up with boats and make a good memory with them, when it comes to fishing and the ocean. in my personal opinion if you have the money and the time i would say buy a boat, you will not regret it, but dont buy a to big of a boat.
It is very sensible to have an "emergency money" fund when boat owning as you never know when things may go wrong. 👍🏻
One of the happiest days of my life was when I bought my first boat ..... the second happiest day was when I sold it! Okay, I've had three boats since the first, but always feel a sense of relief when I sell it on - must be nearly time for my next boat. Seriously, the hidden costs are substantial and it is always worth keeping in mind that your boating needs may change over time. My next boat will be a small F-RIB or SIB, convenience and ease of storage. The days of owning a larger vessel and keeping it on a mooring are long gone (simply can't justify the ongoing expense).
Excellent video, mate, and always worth pointing out what you might be taking on when you opt for your own vessel.
Snaggit Fishing - Hopefully this night help folks out. They are a big responsibility aren’t they. I think I will keep this one for another year and maybe go to a 19ft over 16 for the added space as the kids gets bigger.😉🎣🛥
Hi John,you know I've become hooked on your channel "terrible dad pun". I have my mates watching your videos too now. We all agree that you should have your own fishing show on t.v.,you're a pleasure to listen to and knowledgeable without being a know it all. I have a refinn 6m with a mercury 75 hp and am busy getting everything sorted for relaunch "it's on a trailer and hasn't moved in two years". I haven't been out for a long time as I suffered a horrific work injury and had my whole right leg completely crushed whilst loading a boat in Denmark,this boat was a bit bigger with a 1200 tonne crane aboard. It is proving costly to get my trailer back up to spec but by the time lockdown is over it will be ready. You have given me the drive and the fire in my belly to get back out to sea. Thank you from the bottom of my heart John ,you are an inspiration.
P.S. it might have taken 2 years but I will be back on the water soon,I have no doubt it will be an emotional moment as I have missed being at sea,I think it is in some people's blood to be a mariner. 👍🏴❤️
- As the road gets harder, every step becomes more of a victory. Good luck and tight lines to you John. 😊
Cheers John, kids crying... haha just kidding. This vid is 2 weeks too late, not that it would have made a difference - I'm the happiest broke man on this planet. Money doesn't buy happiness but it will buy you a boat and that's the same thing really. Tight lines 🎣
Anthony Kennedy - I absolutely agree with you. Owning a boat has brought us such joy and has given us such incredible memories. Well worth the money. If you really want something you find a way to make it work. 😊👍🏻🛥💙
Only thing I can think of that you didn't mention and I haven't yet seen in the comments is that if you are a salt water fisherman, you will have to run to the carwash or wash it at home after every trip, so that your trailer doesn't rust out. Kind of common sense, but you wouldn't believe how many boats I seen out here where the axels and hubs are rusted away due to people not washing the saltwater off their trailers.
You mentioned electronics, but to specify, lighting is very important. Not sure about your side of the pond, but in the states having functioning lights is a must, and honestly a life saver. Seen people get plowed right into at night, and also seen people break down out in the middle of no where in the middle of the night with no lights to help anyone even know they were stuck out there. Here you are required to have a red light and a green light, one on the front and one on the back.
Another expense is maps of the waterways. This is particularly helpful in the bays, as it helps navigate the sandbars and the reefs. Definitely a must have. I suppose the GPS might offer that information these days, but I've never owned one. We always used an Atlas til we became familiar with the areas and could navigate by memory.
Also, I'd like to add that in my experience, relatively common maintenance expenses, particularly on used boats, would be steering cable and gear box replacements.
Thief In The Night - Great comment filled with useful information. Thankyou very much. 👍🏻🛥😉
Hi John. I discovered your channel a few weeks back and I absolutely love it! There are so many values that children these days can be introduced to just by watching your videos (instead of wasting their brains on social media and other "millennial" habits). I have never been out on a boat (other than ferry) and I was thinking about getting one with a friend. If anything, your video helped me decide FOR the boat instead of against one. The reason being that the cost, albeit dear and recurring, can be justified if you think about a 2 week holiday in Spain or anywhere else, where you would make 5 grand disappear without any difficulty. For me, and many of your viewers I am sure, that is a no-brainer. I would much rather choose to go with the boat and spend time in the UK (even with the weather as it is). Anyway, you are awesome!
Will you be able to do a video on a step-by-step day out, from the moment you get on your boat until you return from fishing? You may have one already but I could not find it on your list of videos. I am not worried about owning the boat as much as I am worried about not being able to cope with all the sea rules that come with a day out beacons/buoys, sonar, GPS usage, so on...
Thank you for another brilliant video and for spending a lot of time and effort to make them!!!
Cheers
Daniel
- Thank you Daniel. I am really glad that you have decided ( as we did ) that the effort and cost is worth it. I have done several videos covering different aspects that are either on this channel or The FishLocker Workshop. 👍
@@TheFishLocker Thanks John! Managed to find most of them. Really appreciate all your effort!
I am looking around for a small fishing boat with an outboard here in Spain, roughly 5 meters semi cabin like yours. I want to go fishing here, though I have next to no experience. This video, and some others on your channel around small boat buying and ownership have been extremely helpful. Thank you so much!
I am glad to hear that. Good luck with the boat buy
Certainly puts the armchair dreams into true perspective. Very informative, much appreciated.
sako 375 - No problem mate, any time. 👍🏻🎣🛥
I recently bought some soft nylon white rope for my new Coast Liner. The deepest I can expect to see is 50 foot deep. I am spreading the cost of this rope as it is expensive but the best to use. 300 feet of this rope so far has cost £75. The reel of rope comes in 98 feet, so with two a long splice to join each section of rope works out at roughly 294 feet total. This is more than enough for me to use in my area. Cheaper rope is available but if you are like me only the best will do. You will also need two types of anchor, Bruce, Grapple or folding grapple. Chain is also expensive at around £5 a meter you can have 8 meters of chain. Then there is a float and Alderney ring £50. If you fish in deeper waters the cost of rope alone can be tripled. Owning a boat can be a money pit as there is always something you want or need.
- Differentiating between “want” and “need” 😉👍🏻
The best advice I’ve heard in a long time. My father built his from a hull bought in Southampton many years ago . I’ve rebuilt one which cost a load hence the term B.O.A.T ( break out another thousand) and I’m a sucker for punishment I’m rebuilding another 🙈. So the only advice I can give I look for a good boat around 5 k with a spare 5-6k to cover costs upkeep and a hidden problem that may appear good luck to all and tight lines 👍
alun phillips - Wow Alun, you must love punishment. Haha. I fully agree with you, that is a very good way to budget and won’t steer you far wrong. 😉👍🏻🛥
Followed you for a long time , this was by far the most enjoyable and most informative vid you have done. IAt 70 years old i suffer with motion sickness so have very rarely gone out on a boat , so I fish from the shore or rocks, but I thoroughly enjoy your boating exploits, I love the fact that Jamers gets to get out with you, and is so knowledgeable .
I love being able to spend my time out on the boat with James and the rest fo the family. It is such a joy. 😊
there is a Japanese medication that is specifically designed for boat sickness. maybe give that a try? ive had that and it works great.
Fantastic video once again John.Here in Australia there's so many boats that are garden gnomes because owners weren't honest with themselves answering these basic questions and simply don't have time to take them out,can't afford to take it out or simply have lost interest. You very rarely if ever get your money back when selling a boat to upgrade or simply go boatless too.
Some more ongoing costs are boat drivers licence,trailer registration, boat registration,insurance etc.
My Little aluminium 14ft pictured in my avatar i bought because it ticked all the right boxes for me listed below that others may find helpful.
My budget was $15,000 aud for a brand new boat/trailet package.
I wanted a fishing boat to use in rivers,estuaries.
I wanted it to be legally towed by a small 4cyl car.
I wanted a 14ft runabout fwd steer.
I wanted a bare aluminium boat.
I wanted it to fit in the garage.
I wanted it to be a 2 stroke
30-40hp yamaha.
I made sure i could afford the rego,insurance and ALL ongoing costs BEFORE committing to buying.I use mine as much as possible (Weekly if i can ) and love every minute of it.
Other ongoing costs on a trailer boat is fuel for both tow vehicle and boat.
Fabian Sosa - Excellent comment mate. That will be great for people reading the comments. 👍🏻🛥
Brilliant video John. Excellent advice. A lot of people don’t think of all the additional costs and then get fed up with it very quickly and move on to something else instead of doing a proper costing! Think this will be very good advice for those wanting to buy a boat.
Thanks buddy. Very informative. Graham
Graham Allen - Thankyou Graham. That was the plan when making this. Hopefully it will prevent any nasty surprises for folks thinking of getting a boat. It’s not all sunshine and big fish. 😉🎣🛥
The Fish Locker 👍🎣👍🎣
Well thought out and explained, I couldn,t justify a boat for myself, I don,t have the time or money so i,ll just watch on youtube because I enjoy it 👍👍
- Thank you, hopefully this video helps folks to avoid any expensive surprises. 👍
This advice is gold dust. Top drawer. Utter common sense. Note every point twice or more before working out your budget. I grew up on the Ceredigion coast and have watched any number of owners and syndicates shelling out £1000s to maintain a boat in harbour that just sits there. I think the top comment I ever heard about being a non-professional boat owner is that "the best two days of ownership are the day you buy the vessel and the day you sell it." Listen to the man.
- I just hope this video helps folks avoid any expensive mistakes. 👍🏻
@@TheFishLocker Absolutely. You talk common sense. This advice applies to life, let alone boat ownership. Most people should consider comparable factors, even say having the ambition to own a house rather than renting. Itemise every cost against your income. You might be a great fisherman ...and you are... but you have the rare quality of being a far better communicator.
Hi what a great bit of advice for those wanting to own a boat. I have decided on a sip as I have no storage, limited funds etc. As I only intend to fish in and around a couple of harbours with maybe fishing very close inshore on settled days maybe only 1/2 mile out this will do for me coupled with a 4 hp motor it will do for me. Thanks for doing this video. Bill
Easy Fishing - Bill I have a couple of friends that are doing exactly what you described. Perfectly suits their situation and fishing. Good luck to you mate. 😊🎣👍🏻🛥
I have been thinking about buying a boat for years but I would never have time to get out due to my job, this video really changed my mind and is definitely not worth it. Great video !!!
I simply hope that this video helps folks to avoid any expensive mistakes. 😊👍🏻
I got a lump sum..
I went to the Boat Show...Bought a fully loaded Warrior 175.
The wife found out how much I spent..She gave me some Lump..
Lol nice boat warrior 175, i bet she didnt come out with the famous line its the boat or me 😂
neil hellens - Haha. At least you’ll have somewhere comfortable to live whilst she calms down. 🤣
This really is a must watch video if you are looking to get a small boat. All the information I needed . Much appreciated...
Fish Fish - It was my pleasure mate, if it helps folks out then it was worth doing. If you have any groups or friends who you think would benefit from this, please share it on. I’d really appreciate it 😉👍🏻🛥🎣
Really sound advice John. in my experience getting the absolute best engine you can afford as part of a any boat package definitely pays dividends. Nothing worse than a temperamental engine when you are at sea, and I say that from a bad experience in my first secondhand boat purchase. The only minor bit of kit not mentioned is a pair of decent baffles and a hosepipe to give the engine a regular freshwater flushing whenever possible. All the best and tight lines!
Gareth Grimshaw - That is a great additional extra mate. Definitely worth a mention. 👍🏻🛥😉
Most expensive purchase I’ve made on a toy marina costs are eye watering but that feeling when steeming off from the pontoon is priceless
RidingDirty - I agree. Mooring fees are disgusting. But when it’s a fine day and you’re hooked up it all seems worth it. 😉👍🏻🎣🐟
I been doing some major Overtime time to collect 10k on a boat (used),made it half ways so far,,but after Your video..I'm happy and broken in the same time I'll stick to and inflatable..thank brotha stay up!!
- My boat, trailer, engine all in to get the whole setup would be about £10k.
Hi John, I was contemplating myself to justify the cost of owning one vs charter trips. But kids won't be able to go and explore the sea, fishing at sea and the travelling which will cost a bit but he ho we only live once. Let's live to the fullest.thank you John. I enjoy all the videos that you created and thank you for taking the time to entertain, educate and guide us all here.
- That is it Kris, it isn't always easy and it is a big responsibility but I wanted my children to have access to the sea and a boat during their childhoods and it is a decision I have not regretted once. 😊
This was absolutely first class information. Really, really appreciated.🙏
- I am glad that you think so. I hope it helps folks out. 👍
It's good to see you covering the pro's/con's of owning a boat. As you mentioned, it's not just the initial outlay of the cost of the boat, but also the ongoing costs of keeping it and running it each year. Advice I would offer someone buying their first boat would be to take a navigation & seamanship course before you set sail.
Thanks for another great vid John.
PatBot - That is very true mate, I do mention the courses in my “Small boat safety” video. They are a great foundation of knowledge for any boat user. 👍🏻😉🛥
Well done on an excellent presentation. I am 'that guy' whos retiring soon and this info is priceless. 👏👏👏👏👏 🇮🇪
- I truly hope the video helps folks out. 😊
@@TheFishLocker without doubt. 👊
You'll need a basic tool kit & essential spares, spark plug manual pull start rope etc, other than that you gave a comprehensive account of what's involved in owning a small boat. I wish I had seen this before getting mine, I used it a lot in the first season, not so much in the second, pumped a fortune into it over the next few years & haven't touched it since. This is a brilliant & informative video, thanks for posting it. If you're toying with the idea of buying a boat, think long & hard first.
- I hope this video helps folks out. 😊
I think the sales reps from Evinrude may have something to say about your 4/2 stroke comparison ;) Running my 20ft boat, 90HP engine, pontoon berth, for a year costs me around 3 grand. Or in other words the most expensive "free" fish you'll ever find. It's only money I'd be pissing up a wall otherwise so wouldn't change it for anything.
IOM Fishing - I absolutely agree with your analogy. I don’t drink, smoke or gamble. My vice and my expense is fishing. 😉👍🏻🎣🛥
Great advice! Always had smaller boats til I went 1/2 with a good friend on a bigger safer faster boat.
Love my 115 evinrude. Direct injection 2 stroke. Very fuel efficient and reliable. Old Yamaha 4 stroke was also very reliable but heavier. I thinks it was slower and less efficient just due to the weight savings but to be honest I didn’t keep accurate fuel usage.
You only live once, fill it with experiences!
I've just bought a nice 520 myself and am kitting it out. It's working out roughly £6k boat, £2k extras (plus the 1000-mile round trip to get it, from Glasgow to Maidstone and back!). I'm getting a few luxuries such as a nice nav arch, some custom side rails that'll be taller and wider than the Orkney ones, a new auxiliary, a Hook 2 9 inch combo unit with Navionics, plus all the boating basics (anchoring, lifejackets, flares, tools etc).
I don't want to look back one day when I'm too old and wish I'd done it!
- Dan that is exactly the way I see it. It has been hard at times and it is a big commitment but I wanted our children to have access to a boat growing up and I wanted to be able to teach our kids about the ocean and to fish. Activities and memories that when Im old will be worth more than any money.
How many times have you got out on your boat since you got it? Where do you keep it? I know maidstone and the surrounding area well so I'm curious. I'm debating getting a boat myself..hence all the questions
Very honest and informative, John. I am sure you have saved a lot of people loads of heartache. As for me, I’ll now be looking at kayaks 😉
Kevin Johnson - Hopefully like you say this will help folks out and maybe prevent a few nasty surprises. As I say, if you cannot afford the outlay solo you could always look at a boat share?
your absolutely spot on with boat costs. however if you buy a boat and you need to trailer it you need to think about where you are going to launch. slips are not always available or in a condition that a 2 wheel drive vehicle can handle. this means your adding a 4x4 vehicle to the costs. I have had small boats for decades and enjoy the ownership but they are a drain on time and money however the rewards can be huge.
Dale Robertson - I did mention that mate. 😉 But good shout. 👍🏻😉🎣🛥
This was an eye opener. I have wanted a boat for years. Something like a cheap cabin cruiser, but after this video I will have to think twice, Such a shame as it's my dream to get on the water.
- I hope that this video helps to prevent anyone getting any nasty surprises.
Like a famous guy once said.. tis better to have loved and lost than never to have loved at all.. Start small!!
Thanks a LOT for sending me this link after I told you I was thinking of getting a boat. You really talk sense and I'm actually definitely going to buy a shared boat with 2 of my mates now, as this seems most sensible for me as I don't think I can justify the costs to only use it a few times per season. Much respect.
- Glad I could help mate :)
Wow John...that should have frightened most people off. Now you’ve done the vlog for small boat owners...can you do one for boat owners who are over six feet tall😉⛵️👍
- Haha. Clever. 😊
So many things you don't think about when wanting to get a boat. Thank you for this video.
Liz P - No problem Liz, hopefully this well help folks avoid some nasty expensive surprises. 👍🏻🎣🛥😊
we have a boat and use it all the time we can despite living in Western Canada where the lakes are frozen ~6mths of the year. Your advise John is great but you missed a large cost........all the fishing tackle :) cheers
Malcolm Bennett - Haha. I did consider that Malcolm but wasn’t prepared to put a value on it incase my wife was watching 😉👍🏻🎣😬
@@TheFishLocker I enjoy fishing, playing guitar and cars..........never add up the bills and never ever show them :)
John, you are so right. I bought a Merry Fisher earlier this year. Cost me £31k. Oncosts (marina berthing, insurance, fuel etc etc ) are at least 10% of that. But end of the day I love the boat, have spent many happy hours out on her, and don't regret buying her one bit. It's all a question of scale. I love my boat!
- Absolutely that. Can you justify the cost. If you can you will be much happier. 😊
Top job, really nice channel. If anything you’ve underplayed the expense of running a boat, geography also plays a part especially when pontoon or marina mooring. Your £1000 six month pontoon mooring turns into an easy £3500 for a 17 ft boat in the Solent, particularly in Lymington. I’m very hands on with my Whaler, doing virtually all maintenance. Running and mooring costs still average about 5k a year so it’s not for maggot skinners. On the positive side it can be truly magical to have these life affirming moments possible on a boat fishing. You’ve also got an easy method of body disposal if she kicks up too much about the cost.
Mark Richard Hall - 🤣🤫
Good advice there mate. I've spent a small fortune on boats but I'm out fishing every chance I get so no regrets. Once you've spent the money you gotta make the time to fish.
Love your passion for every thing fishing. tight lines!
Thank you so much. I am glad you found it helpful 👍🏻 I hope you have a lot of success on your future trips 🎣✅
here in NZ ,I came across a boat named"she got the House". Had to smile.
- Haha. Who is the winner in that argument?
Shame about the sink hole lol, Oh I do like to be beside the seaside ......
Hi John. I have been looking into buying a boat for fishing off. After watching this vid I still wasnt convinced, but after reading ALL the comments I have had my bubble well and truly busted. You're all over this subject mate. Thank you for such good advice, I wont be buying a boat any time soon. I will just have to content myself with shore fishing. On the other hand I am really looking forward to taking my little girl shore scavenging after watching your other vid. Thanks again and God bless.
Behold, I stand at the door - I am very sorry if this has upset you at all. But I thought it was important to give people this information and hopefully prevent them from having any nasty expensive surprises. There are half way alternatives. Kayaks, boat shares or SIB’s if you really want to get afloat. But other than that. Just save your pennies. All the best to you and your family and good luck taking your girl fishing 😊👍🏻🎣🍽
@@TheFishLocker No John, Im not upset, I needed the reality check, thank you. :)
Behold, I stand at the door - Then I am glad I could help. 😊👍🏻🛥
Great advice! I would imagine it's more personal preference on Aluminum vs. Fiberglass, but I always thought aluminum was louder in the water, but less maintenance. And being lighter, might be a better choice for a smaller boat, especially if there are trailering weight concerns. I still prefer fiberglass, myself, but there are a lot of pros and cons to both. Your thoughts?
- I'm with you, I prefer fibreglass up to a certain size.
A great honest video. Anyone thinking of buying a boat should watch this.
Nick Cahill - Thankyou Nick, hopefully it helps folks out. 😉👍🏻🛥
Somebody once said that the definition of a boat is a small depression in the water into which you constantly throw money.
Ive also heard it said that 'boat' stands for "bring out another thousand"
love it :):)
- That is often very true
Absolutely bang on the nail. Tow bars, boards, locks are all of the things we overlook. We'll done mate, solid advice.
It is when people forget these things that unpleasant surprises happen. I hope the video helps folks out. 😊
@@TheFishLocker It's a good guide, honest too which is super important.
Better than owning a boat is having a friend who owns a boat!
- YES!!!
That's a very good and straight video. Perhaps some of the cost estimates are on the low side if anything. I had a rib for five years and it's always in the back of your mind that the tubes will need replacing in the future. I spent most of my time landing fish for kids so they didn't puncture the tubes. I enjoyed it but I didn't get to fish much. I had quite a journey to get to water so add in a good fuel bill for travelling. You need to be very good at reversing a trailer as some of the boat ramps can be very awkward. You will need 4 wheel drive as sea ramps get very slippery and often a 2 wheel drive can fail to pull you up the ramp. It is also amazing how little deck space there is on some boats and you may find there is only room for one or two people to fish at a time. It is always colder and windier at sea so you need a really good day for it to be enjoyable. You need top to toe waterproofs on an open boat. There is often very little storage on a small boat so nowhere for lunches coats etc etc. There is a great sense of freedom on a boat though. It's like I'm in charge here and all those laws and rules that we have to comply with daily just drop away. That's how I felt anyway.
vinniesdayoff - I did mention about having a suitable vehicle for the trailering. Fuel bills for trailering could be compared against a berth to see which is the most cost effective? Good comment mate. I especially like your explanation of how being out on the boat makes you feel. Its hard to explain isn’t it, but passionate boat owners all feel it. Tight lines. 😊🎣👍🏻🛥
Take note all you future boat owners. If you do not follow this man's advice you will end up buying a hole in the water into which you will be required to throw all your money. So take note and heed his advice you have been warned.
Stuart Allen - Haha. Thankyou Stuart. 👍🏻😉🛥🎣
This guy is brilliant, very clear and concise information that has all my niggling little thoughts answered. Thanks mate, much appreciated.
It is my pleasure David. I have done a few other boat owning/buying videos that I hope are helpful. Have you seen the comparison video?
I have my eye on a boat the same as yours. What speed does it do. Would you recommend the 520
- Normal cruising speed with me and all my kit is 14-16 knots. But I most often sit at 12 knots for economy.
@@TheFishLocker ii have just bought a new orkney 16 plus thay plain very well new hull disighn 18mph with 20 hours outboard tiller just retired and love it keep up the good work
Another brilliant video bud 👍. Very sound advice. Owning a boat is shockingly expensive, although I don't own a boat myself my father owns a 21 foot boat with my brother. Costs them 1700 euro a year to keep it on the marina in Kilmore Quay. The father lost a boat in the eighties from a shit mooring in another harbour so for years had a smaller boat which he would keep at home. Eventually the boats got bigger until it had to go on marina.
gary lawlor - That is a good average for yearly costs. My greatest costs are fuel and berthing fees. It is my passion and gives me and the family such joy - so we make it work. 😉👍🏻🎣🛥
The best boat is a friends boat!!
CARRINGTON GROUP - Haha. A rich friends boat is even better. 😉👍🏻🎣😆🛥
Many years ago a close friend bought a boat, a 17ft Micro plus. He was a car mechanic and thought he knew what he was getting into, he should have taken someone with him that actually knew about boats. The boat turned out to have osmosis ( water ingress in to the GPR hull ) this cost a lot of money in materials, time and Labour to sort out. The trailer was rotten, a new trailer was needed! The main two stroke engine and small back up engine were both very problematic and eventually needed replacing, the boat needed rewiring, instruments replacing, etc etc. To cap it all, the boat was not suitable for the type of fishing in very strong tides around the area he lived in. He probably spent close to £5000 on top of the £2000 purchase price to get the boat and trailer in running order. I think he used it less than half a dozen times, realising the boat wasn't safe for the waters he wanted to go fishing in. He eventually sold the outfit for about £2500, taking a big loss. Eventually those £40 charter fishing trips he had previously been on seemed like pretty good value. The moral of all this is that If you are a novice boat buyer, make sure you take someone with you who is familiar with boats and can give you an honest unbiased opinion on your potential purchase!!
paul tap - Ouch. That really was a sting! Yes that is a very good point. If you aren’t sure. Take someone who is more experienced. 👍🏻🛥
The definition of a boat is..... a hole in the water that you chuck money into......... but they are worth every penny
- I agree. 😊
Experience from my days owning a Colvic 20' 6" day fisher - consider having a two battery setup in case one dies - an extra £100 out of 10k saves a lot of grief. Similarly have two bilge pumps if you are on a mooring - £20 to save sinking is a no brainer. If you are in the UK look up radio licensing and the mmsi system. I had my vhf, complete with mmsi linked to my gps, under a flap on the VHF was a red emergency button that would send an emergency signal to the coastguard, complete with position - NB IF YOU ARE IN RANGE - even the kids that came out could understand to press the button if there was trouble such as the two adults on board clashing heads and knocking each other out or somehow falling overboard. Whenever outboards are used there is a possibility of spark pugs failing or fuel tube splitting so have spares, self amalgamating tape and a few tools on board. Also with outboards do not forget a spare shear pin for the prop and a hammer and punch to get the old one out. Most importantly make sure that whoever you have informed of your plans in case you are overdue knows what to do. In the UK this is call 999 and ask for the coastguard. Why mention this? It is obvious is it not? Everyone knows what to do - well the wife of one of my friends called me one day as he was overdue. In fact he had simply misjudged the tide and could not get back in the harbour a call to the coastguard and a physical check and all her worries were dispelled but between us we had overlooked 'the obvious'.
Very good comment
How do you make a small fortune with a boat?
Start with a large one!
- Haha. Absolutely!!
Great honest advice and video, nothing to add really only that there is always a temptation to go bigger, but as others say a smaller boat your comfortable with will/may be used more frequently, also here in the UK as long as you look after them they don't depreciate much unlike a car. The boat is really only as reliable as the engine so when buying one focus on the engine as you can fix a boat but a unreliable engine will play on your mind and thats hard to fix.
Ian Swales - Great point Ian, very valid. 👍🏻😉🛥
Here’s my help in buying a boat - if it flies, fucks or floats, rent it
- I have heard that before.
Good advice. Also worth pointing out that you need to budget for decent weatherproofs if all year round use...not cheap for good kit like goretex. A decent first aid kit is a must and think about emergency procedures. Fire extinguishers a must and budget for testing and refilling.
If mooring on a bouy you need to budget for a small row boat or inflatable to get you out to your mooring too. Annual maintenance needs a lot of time as well as money and working out your list of replaceables needs to be realistic. A small boat sub 20ft could need up to £3k annually for mooring, servicing and maintenance plus kit revenue costs or more.
Worth noting that there's the option of electric auxilliary motors these days with a solar charging panel which can be used to trickle charge the batteries for the electric motor and main motor. They can be lighter than traditional 4hp auxilliaries so wont affect balance as much. The more solar panels the better....use a deep cycle leisure batteries for that and all other electrics....theres a few hundred battery costs just for that. Costs can run away. I would budget 50% boat and 50% everything else.
Paul C - Great comment Paul, loads of useful info on there. I mention about the safety equipment in my safety equipment video. And your mooring fees are about on par with what the costs are here. Good comment mate. 👍🏻😊🛥
an old saying " its not the elephant its the hay "
- That is a very apt saying Ray.
glad i found your channel john.you do some great stuff,please keep it up.i've had a couple of boats in the past,nothing special,but would like to do it again.well pleased with the info you have supplied here.
david oldman - Thats great to hear David. I’m very pleased to hear you’re enjoying the content and tight lines mate. 😊👍🏻🎣🐟
The 2 best days you'll ever have owning a boat are the day you buy it and the day you sell it 🤦🏻♂️
Daddy Paddy - Haha. I think I would consider those the worst. The sting of parting with the money would be fresh and then saying goodbye would be bitter. 😆🛥😔
@@TheFishLocker sorry buddy just my twisted sense of humor 🤦🏻♂️, I served just shy of 9 years as D class helmsman on the Minehead lifeboat crew and part of our service was to give free safety/equipment checks to new boat owners etc etc and it was a running joke amoungst the fine Muppets I served with! Love your content mate. Keep it up yeah 👍
Hiya John, as usual bang on mate! Living in Australia has given me the opportunity to buy a boat. Expenses are slightly different over here starting from a clean sheet, we can add taking a test and paying for a boating test and a boating licence ( i think the cost is irrelevant because of different countries ), however ,these are extra costs over here before I even bought my boat ! I decided to take my boating test and my PWC test at the same time because I could, but only payed for a boating licence because the PWC test is cheaper but licence MORE expensive. The boat is a Quintrex 475 Freedom Sport with a 60 HP Yamaha outboard 4 Stroke (for exactly the same reasons as yourself ). We got it for fishing too and with the boat we had a Minn Kota on the front port side and two batteries. We decided on Power steering as an EXTRA cost after we bought it so dial that in as a possible future cost. Fish finder and a Lowrance Elite 7 Combo . Notes for new owners, the motors NEED to run regularly and winterised if not using it through the winter. Other added cost could be for maintenance equipment like a tool kit for outboard maintenance on the water and an extra set of spark plugs with an extraction plug ( car one is no use because it's too fat ). Screwdrivers are not cheap either. You need a separate toolkit which should be kept on the boat in case you forget to load one up.Fuel is an obvious cost which we can't escape. Trailer came with boat and is fixed with grease buddies? ( i think that's what they are called). So dial in marine axle grease and a grease gun ( for those non mech of us. These are one off costs for the most part, however, it is a cost which is not usually thought about when buying a boat. Watch out for those very short visits to the boating marinas where touch up paints etc can take a big bite out of you. Also be aware of perishables on your boat like Sacrificial Anodes with cost not on a usual service. If you think of the cost of running a car then think of a boat as being MORE costly because of the nature of salt water etc..... sorry for going on a tad John and again if I doubled up on some things you've already mentioned. But a great presentation as usual mate and thanks for all your knowledge and effort with video etc. Looking forward to next one.
Good reply mate from a fellow australian.I'm thinking of a bowrider too.
@@Hahehhwgajshah72726.. Hi mate. I doubt if you'll regret it and I wouldn't go more than a 70 Hp outboard and a min of 60 hp for a 4 stroke ( way too noisy for 2 strokes ). The rest is about what you need for safety and then luxuries. Just be aware that you can only have a certain size of engine for the boat you choose. I've seen some boats with outboards which are way too highly rated for their boats. Good luck and be safe mate.
Nomad - Fantastic information packed comment mate. Brilliant info for anyone reading the comments. Thanks mate. 🛥👍🏻💙😊
You just turned me off buying a boat mate, ill just buy a kayak 😫😫😫
MrEphi123 - Haha. Sorry mate. Just being honest. Hopefully it’s helped prevent some folks making expensive mistakes. 😉👍🏻🛥
Hooked - I was just having this conversation with a good friend of mine who is a very good kayak angler. If that suits your fishing needs. Go for it. 👍🏻🎣😉🐟
MrEphi123
It's a case of horses for courses. There's no better or worse just do what suits you best.
Loads of invaluable information in this video. Also worth remembering, the bigger the boat, the bigger the costs. We currently have a merry fisher 805 with diesel inboard. Kept in a marina for 12 months a year. It costs us roughly 4-5k a year in berthing and maintenance/insurance etc etc. On top of that things always need fixed / replaced, this year we’ve had to have a new bow thruster and upgraded the chart plotter, although this wasn’t an absolute necessity the old was was of an age with a small screen and fiddly to use. BUTTTT nothing beats being out on the water making memories!! Also, the way things are currently with used boat prices, we’d likely get a lot more than we paid for it!! But, i must stress… never buy a boat as an ‘investment’ they will drive you mad if you dont go in with your eyes wide open, they are a huge commitment, and neglect only pushes your costs north! Start small and if you still love the boating life after a couple of years, look at upgrading. Some of my best boating memories are me as a kid pulling pots, fishing etc for with my dad in his orkney strikeliner.
All true words Chris. Having our boat hasn't always been easy and as you say it is a commitment but being able to allow our kids access to a boat and the water growing up is worth it. 😊
Couldnt agree more!! Nothing beats breaking out way through the traffic in town to the marina on a Saturday morning to head away from the madness. Appreciate the reply, replying to all your comments must take an age!! Thats commitment… and it shows. Addicted to your channels. Keep up the GREAT work.
I wasn't going to watch this video,as I do not own a boat .BUT after watching it,
It has gave me a more clear understanding as I have been pondering about it .
I myself will be getting a sib or kayak next year .. sound advice from John as always..
I definitely need to come Fishing with you John..well done on a cracking video again..
saltwater lure fishing - Thankyou very much mate. Yes this video isn’t just for boat owners, it may help people decide that boats are definitely not for them. I know a lot of folks who do amazing things with SIB’s and kayaks. All the best mate. Tight lines. 😉👍🏻🎣🐟
One more cost to add John ... Ive rebuilt and maintained River cruisers of all sizes on fresh water with old engines and outdrives for years and they certainly have made my eyes water with costs on many an occasion. if i was on Salt water, those costs would have trebled as the salt just EATS everything from your outboard to your wiring. Need to add that to the list as routine maintenance after every outing is a must and be prepared to replace parts regularly.. Saying that, as you were reading through those costs, i realised its still much cheaper than my missus.. :-)
John Foster - Very true mate. My Mrs is pretty good but it’s ironic don’t you think that boats are referred to as “her”? 😆👍🏻
I used to date a guy, many years ago, he had a beautiful 65 foot 6 berth cruiser. We had great times on that boat, but he always said every boat owner has two fantastic days. The day they buy their boat and the day they sell it! I miss that boat.
- I have heard many boat owners say that. It is a very large commitment.
Fuel, light board, lights on the boat, rod holders, boat rods, tool kit.
Great video.
I have heard it said that there's two days you never forget when you get your first boat.
The day you bought it and the day you get rid of the f@£#ing thing!
- Haha. Ive heard that quite a few times mate.
Great video and so true. I owned a boat years back and it's all those expenses and then some. With older boats, there's always something breaking down, guaranteed. Now I go out fishing on my buddies boat. He's the one with all the responsibility. Although I always kick in on expenses when I go.
50/50. And, I always help him clean it up after trip. Not all people realize or do those things.
Wes Youngquist - Cleaning a boat is a never ending story mate. Not only inside but outside and underneath!! So very true. 👍🏻🛥😉
So true, I recently bought a little 13ft orkney cheap to leave on the beach for messing about in the bay.
One thing leads to another and its now fully equipped with all safety equipment, vhf and fishfinder on a trailer 😂
Better safe than sorry.
Great practical discussion - also think about going on a course to understand practical boat handling and navigation - Weather, Tides and Currents are very important in the UK plus you will need a VHF radio licence which is also a course. On the Flip side there is great family fun to be had on the water even if the fishing is off!
- There sure is. 😊
I just found your channel and think it's fabulous and have subscribed, I now live in Australia, and am looking at buying a small boat, ( in Australian Jargon, a tinny, which is basically Aluminium, very popular in Oz).This video is very good at pointing out the basics of boat buying, I reckon the maintenance cost of a small boat would be similar to owning a car, you have all the same needs, insurance, annual service, break downs, maintenance, etc, etc, also the bigger the boat the bigger the expenses, so maybe start of small and if you are keen after a year or two you can upgrade with the knowledge and experience gained with the smaller boat, thanks for a great channel👍
david - Thank you and welcome to the channel David. Yes Tinny is a very Oz term for a boat. I knew what you meant but here if you said I’m off out to buy a tinny they’d likely think you meant a can or lager. 😛 I absolutely agree that you should start small and work up to a bigger boat as your experience grows. 😉👍🏻
Brilliant information and advice. Thank you. I’m seriously looking at buying a small boat, trailer and outboard motor and feel more confident now having listened viewed the video.
My pleasure Steve. Have you seen the other videos I’ve done of buying a small boat?
@@TheFishLocker
No not yet but I’ll definitely be having a look.
Thank you 👍
Depending how you launch you may also need waders? A decent coat and depending on the boat you could benefit from a half canopy! I have also found it useful to have spares ( winch strap , fule line with bulb and engine/ tank connectors) I maybe going too far but I have needed them....
OP powerpuff - You are absolutely right. Especially the spare fuel line. Great comment. 😉👍🏻🛥
Nice advice. I had a 10ft GRP Dinghy with 9.5 hp, Back in the day Hastings beach car park was free and i could drag it down the beach using a couple of drain pipe's and i'd tow it back up the beach using a very long rope. Back then the only worry was bait and fuel, I only had to go out about a mile and there's a mud bank about 10 fathom's deep and we would catch some lovely Plaice. One time i had to row back as the engine wouldn't start, i remember the old boy saying i should have taken plenty of petrol, i held up two full cans and he was like oh you want a tow. Happy days :) Turned out there was water behind the stop button which stopped it starting. That set up cost me £200 around 1983, and was the best time. I'd just say you don't have to spend 1,000 to enjoy the water . Be lucky Spider. P.s. do you have a little seagull as a back up?
You don’t need much to make you happy do you. People lose sight of that fact. 😊👍🏻
Great video with good advice for people starting out. Remember all the additional costs with boating. I have my Orkney on the trailer on drive in winter and on the pontoon for summer months this way I know its safe in winter and ready to use if the sun ever comes out.{Scotland}.
Donald woods - Smart thinking Donald. I do pretty much the same. 😉👍🏻🛥